The Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3) aims to obtain research today for a cancer-free tomorrow. The American Cancer Society says it has the potential to change the face of cancer for future generations.

"CPS-3 will help researchers better understand the lifestyle, environmental and genetic factors that cause or prevent cancer," said Jan Chytilo, Director of Strategic Health Alliances and American Cancer Society.

The American Cancer Society's Epidemiology Research program is looking for men and women who are willing to commit to the long-term study. You need to be between the ages of 30 and 65 and have never been diagnosed with cancer. It is open to anyone in the United States and Puerto Rico.

The goal is to enroll a diverse group of 300,000 people by December 2013.

"If you can prevent one family from having to go through the experience of a cancer diagnosis, it's worth it," said Leslie Kannus, Rural Health Network of SCNY and participant of the study.

Kannus signed up in Syracuse for the CPS-3 study and says it is an easy process that she recommends to others.

When you enroll, you will fill out a questionnaire, get a small blood sample taken and a waist measurement. After that you will periodically receive follow-up surveys every few years.

Chytilo says you will be involved in the study for 20 to 30 years.

"Our previous Cancer Prevention Studies have been instrumental in helping us to identify some of the major factors that can affect cancer risks. CPS3 holds the best hope of identifying new and emerging cancer risks and we can only do this if members of the community are willing to become involved," said Chytilo.

Researchers will use the data from CPS-3 to build on evidence from a series of studies that began in 1950.

Enrollment is being made possible in parternship with Lourdes Hospital, UHS and Broome County government.

"The new CPS will help researchers build on evidence from previous studies and bring us closer to eliminating cancer as a future health burden for this and future generations," said David Patak, President and CEO of Lourdes Hospital.

"From a scientific standpoint, we need this kind of data. It will help us prevent cancer in the future and it will also help us anticipate cancer in people who have had environmental exposures," said Dr. James Hayes, UHS.

'We're pushing every County employee to sign up for this, all 2,200 of them. We're going to get as many as we possibly can," said Bijoy Datta, Deputy Broome County Executive.

The American Cancer Society says previous Cancer Prevention Studies have confirmed the link between cigarette smoking and lung cancer and also shown that obesity increases the risk of several cancers.

To enroll, in the study and schedule an appointment at an enrollment site, Click here.